NFL week 1: Game-by-game previews

★★★★★ Five-star games

N.Y. JETS AT MIAMI

Noon • Ch. 4: 705, DTV • Line: NYJ by 3 • Mark Craig's pick: MIA by 3

The Jets added QB Brett Favre, then released Chad Pennington ... who was then signed to be the Dolphins QB. Pennington is part of the new Miami regime, led by GM Bill Parcells and new coach Tony Sparano, that has only 26 holdovers. In two exhibition games, Favre went 14-of-18 for 144 yards with a TD and no INTs. ... Miami T Jake Long (Michigan), the top overall pick in draft, will renew his rivalry with LB Vernon Gholston (Ohio State), the Jets' top pick.

Our Over/Under: 3

Times today the Jets' grizzled 39-year-old QB Brett Favre will wish he had stayed retired.

DALLAS AT CLEVELAND

3:15 p.m. • Ch. 9: 713, DTV • Line: DAL by 5 1/2 • Mark Craig's pick: DAL by 7

Expectations are sky high for both teams. QB Tony Romo set club records for completions (335), yards passing (4,211) and TDs (36) in 2007 and was one of 13 Cowboys in the Pro Bowl. ... The Browns went 0-4 in exhibitions, their first winless preseason since 1972. Cleveland could be without starting S Brodney Pool (concussion). LB Antwan Peek, expected to help the Browns' pass rush, suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this week.

Our Over/Under: 2

Big plays today for reformed (?) new Cowboy CB/KR Adam (Don't Call me Pacman) Jones.

CHICAGO AT INDIANAPOLIS

7:15 p.m. • Ch. 11 • Line: IND by 9 1/2 • Mark Craig's pick: IND by 3

This is the first meeting since their Super Bowl matchup in Miami on Feb. 4, 2007. ... A victory would make Chicago the first team in league history with 50 opening-game victories. ... Indianapolis has won 21 consecutive games in September and October, the longest streak since the Packers won 23 in a row from 1928-32. The Colts' last September loss was Sept. 9, 2004 at New England. ... Indy's defense allowed the fewest points (262) in NFL last season.

Our Over/Under: 7

Years the new Lucas Oil Stadium will be called "Lucas Oil" before naming rights change. (CM)

★★★★ Four-star games

TAMPA BAY AT NEW ORLEANS

Noon • 711, DTV • Line: N.O. by 3 • Mark Craig's pick: N.O. by 7

The Buccaneers won the NFC South last year, beating the Saints twice. RB Warrick Dunn returns to the Bucs, his first NFL team, after six seasons with Atlanta, but Earnest Graham is the lead RB for Tampa Bay. ... Saints RB Deuce McAllister, the franchise's all-time rusher with 5,678 yards, is set to see his first regular-season action since a knee injury in Week 3 of 2007.

Our Over/Under: 4

NFL teams that would still take Saints RB Reggie Bush ahead of Mario Williams.

JACKSONVILLE AT TENNESSEE

Noon • 708, DTV • Line: JAX by 3 • Mark Craig's pick: JAX by 7

Jacksonville's David Garrard can stretch his streak to 11 consecutive games with a touchdown pass on road, while Fred Taylor is looking for sixth regular-season game in a row with 100 yards rushing going back to Nov. 18. ...The Titans ran for 282 yards in opening game against Jacksonville last year; LenDale White is looking for his third consecutive home 100-year effort.

Our Over/Under: 21

Defensive linemen in the AFC who outweigh burly Jaguars QB David Garrard.

★★★ Three-star games

KANSAS CITY AT NEW ENGLAND

Noon • 706, DTV • Line: N.E. by 15 1/2 • Mark Craig's pick: N.E. by 10

The Patriots had a 16-0 record last season and are a huge favorite in this one. The Chiefs have 11 rookies on roster and at least five should play a lot, including first-round pick DT Glenn Dorsey. KC QB Brodie Croyle is 0-6 as starter. ... Reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady's right foot has improved and he's expected to start at QB for the Patriots after missing all four exhibition games. New England is seeking stability in the secondary after losing CB Asante Samuel to free agency and signing two-time Pro Bowl player Deltha O'Neal.

CAROLINA AT SAN DIEGO

3:15 p.m. • 714, DTV • Line: S.D. by 9 • Mark Craig's pick: S.D. by 6

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme returns after injuring his passing elbow in the third game last year, but leading receiver Steve Smith begins a two-game team suspension for breaking CB Ken Lucas' nose with sucker punch during training camp. ... Chargers TE Antonio Gates will play but isn't 100 percent following offseason toe surgery, and ILB Shawne Merriman is playing despite two torn ligaments in his left knee.

★★ Two-star games

ST. LOUIS AT PHILADELPHIA

Noon • 712, DTV • Line: PHI by 7 1/2 • Mark Craig's pick: PHI by 3

DE Chris Long, the second pick in NFL draft, makes his Rams debut. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb enters a season healthier than he has been in years. He hasn't played an injury-free season since guiding the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2004.

HOUSTON AT PITTSBURGH

Noon • 707, DTV • Line: PIT by 6 1/2 • Mark Craig's pick: PIT by 3

The teams play in Pittsburgh for first time since one of the most unusual NFL games ever, Houston's 24-6 victory on Dec. 8, 2002. Houston scored three TDs on returns of Tommy Maddox's turnovers to win despite the Steelers leading 422-47 in yardage.

DETROIT AT ATLANTA

Noon • Ch. 9; 709, DTV • Line: DET by 3 • Mark Craig's pick: DET by 6

Mike Smith makes his NFL head coaching debut for the Falcons while. QB Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick in draft from Boston College, will make his first start for Atlanta.

★ One-star games

CINCINNATI AT BALTIMORE

Noon • 704, DTV • Line: CIN by 1 1/2 • Mark Craig's pick: CIN by 7

This game marks the debut of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and top draft pick Joe Flacco, who starts at QB. It's first time Bengals coach Marvin Lewis will face the Ravens without seeing former boss Brian Billick on other sideline.

SEATTLE AT BUFFALO

Noon • 710, DTV • Line: BUF by 1 • Mark Craig's pick: SEA by 3

The Seahawks' Mike Holmgren opens his 17th season as an NFL head coach and 10th in Seattle. This will be Holmgren's last season with team. DB coach Jim Mora Jr. is signed to take over next season.

ARIZONA AT SAN FRANCISCO

3:15 p.m. • 715, DTV • Line: ARI by 2 1/2 • Mark Craig's pick: ARI by 6

Kurt Warner won Arizona's starting QB job over Matt Leinart. 49ers QB J.T. O'Sullivan makes first NFL start after winning the job in training camp over Alex Smith, a former No. 1 overall draft choice.